The first activity will be the alice allison dunnigan scholarship, farm to table dinner on august 1, 2019. Russellvilles school system offered ten years of schooling for black children, but most of these children were expected to work in the fields so the schools were open for only 67 months each year. Dunnigan was the author of the fascinating story of black kentuckians and four other books. Newseum to feature alice dunnigan kentucky journalist. African american national biography, accessed december 12 2014, via oxford african american studies center database.
Alice allison dunnigan statue to be permanently installed. Alice allison dunnigan was the first african american female correspondent at the white house and the first black female member of the senate and house of representatives press galleries. At an early age she began writing articles for the local newspaper and was a teacher for twenty years. Johnson, weve learned a few things about americans who helped make this. Dawson, alice allison dunnigan, the crisis, julyaugust, 2007, pp. Alice allison dunnigan pioneering journalist connections. During her time in washington, dunnigan also reported on the sitins at the citys restaurants to promote desegregation. She was the first african american woman to receive press credentials to cover the white house and congress. The skanner news international african american sorority. Alice allison dunnigan 1 19061983 journalist, author at a glance 2 selected writings 3 sources 4 pioneering journalist alice allison dunnigan 5 was covering national politics when racism and segregation were still a part of american society. Smith alice allisondunnigan was born in 1906 to willie and lena allison, who made their home in russellville, kentucky. The bronze monument of alice allison dunnigan, african american female journalist and member of sigma gamma rho sorority, was created by artist amanda matthews, a kentucky native. Dunnigan, alice allison, a black womans experience. At age she began writing for the owensboro enterprise, a first job that fueled her passion for journalism and reporting.
She has published several books and worked under four different presidents fighting for civil rights. Congress, and also the first black woman to be elected to the womens national press club. Alice allison dunnigan kentucky women in the civil. Senate and house of representatives press galleries. Jul 20, 2017 alice allison dunnigan blazed trials for future white house correspondents like april d. Renee shaw and her guests remember the life of journalist, civil rights activist, and author alice allison dunnigan, the first accredited africanamerican female. In order to commemorate dunnigan, author, teacher, civil rights pioneer, united states presidential appointee and trailblazing journalist, the russellville community will host a series of. Feb 02, 2019 alice allison dunnigan april 27, 1906 may 6, 1983 was a black american journalist, civil rights activist and author. Alice allison dunnigan april 27, 1906 may 6, 1983 was an africanamerican journalist, civil rights activist and author.
Russellvilles school system offered ten years of schooling for black children, but most of. A 6foot bronze statue of alice allison dunnigan, modeled on this 1947. As its title indicates, the book is an exploration of. Renee shaw and her guests remember the life of journalist, civil rights activist, and author alice allison dunnigan, the first accredited africanamerican female correspondent to cover the white house, and the first black female member of the senate and house of representatives press galleries. Dunnigan was born alice allison on april 27, 1906 near russellville, kentucky to willie allison, a sharecropper and lena allison who worked by taking in laundry. A 6foot bronze statue of alice allison dunnigan, modeled on this 1947 photograph of her outside the capitol, will honor her at the newseum, a museum in washington dedicated to the press. Alice allison dunnigan april 27, 1906 may 6, 1983 was a black american journalist, civil rights activist and author. Alice allison dunnigan statue to be permanently installed in. Alice allison dunnigan, rosa parks and the selma march. A 6foot bronze statue of alice allison dunnigan, modeled on this 1947 photograph of her outside the capitol, will honor her at the newseum, a museum in washington dedicated to the press and the. Alice allison dunnigan was head of the washington bureau of the associated negro press in the. Alice allison dunnigan was born and raised in russellville kentucky. Alice allison dunnigan, a retired government official who had been chief of the washington bureau of the old associated negro press from 1947 to 1961, died friday of abdominal.
Alice dunnigan, first black woman to cover white house, will get. Allison was reared in a time where african americans were. Dunnigan was the first africanamerican female correspondent to receive white house credentials, and the first black female member of the senate and house of representatives press galleries. Her father worked as a tobacco sharecropper, and her mother took in laundry for a living. With alone atop the hill, carol mccabe booker has condensed dunnigans 1974 selfpublished autobiography to appeal to a general audience and has added. Aug 23, 2018 a 6foot bronze statue of alice allison dunnigan, modeled on this 1947 photograph of her outside the capitol, will honor her at the newseum, a museum in washington dedicated to the press and the.
She also published five books, chronicling her experiences as a black, female kentuckian, her adventures in reporting and also the stories of africanamericans neglected from history books. Call or write congress react to this resolution with an emoji. She was also the first black female member of the u. Dunnigan, alice allison skip to main search results. The statue is set to be unveiled at a washington museum, dedicated to. Dunnigan was a pioneer, worthy of statue our opinion. Allison was reared in a time where african americans were flourishing in all enclaves of american society. From schoolhouse to white house by alice dunningan feb.
Jul 30, 2018 the name alice allison dunnigan might not have the fame of martin luther king jr. Alice allison dunnigan kentucky women in the civil rights era. Alice allison was a teacher in kentucky public schools from 1924 to 1942, but because she wasnt exactly getting paid the big bucks, she still worked small jobs in the summer, like a housekeeper and washing tombstones in the white cemetery. In 1942 alice allison dunnigan, a sharecroppers daughter from kentucky, made her way to the nations capitol and a career in journalism that eventually led her to the white house. With alone atop the hill, carol mccabe booker has condensed dunnigan s 1974 selfpublished autobiography to appeal to a general audience and has added.
Alice allison dunnigan, who died in 1983, was a journalistic trailblazer. Born to workingclass parents in rural kentucky in 1906, she went on to become the first africanamerican woman. Dunnigan, alice allison, 19061983 lc linked data service. Alice allison dunnigan blazed trials for future white house correspondents like april d. Alice allison dunnigan was a trailblazer born in 1906 to a kentucky sharecropper. Home alice allison dunnigan logan county, 19061983 the daughter of a tenant farmer and laundress, the yearold alice allison dunnigan began writing a weekly column on russellville happenings for the owensboro enterprise. Alice allison dunnigan 19061983 1 was an africanamerican. In 1942 alice allison dunnigan, a sharecroppers daughter from k. Alice allison dunnigan alice allison was born on april 27, 1906 near russellville, kentucky, died on may 6, 1983 aged 77 washington, d.
Like all african american children, alice allison dunnigan 19061983 had limited opportunities for education. Commending alice allison dunnigan for her barrierbreaking. Alice allison dunnigan papers, 19581981 emoryfindingaids. Alice allison dunnigan was the first african american female correspondent at the white house and the first black female member of the. This snapshot of alice dunnigans life was captured by the 1940 u. Feb 15, 2018 carol mccabe booker discussed and signed her book alone atop the hill. Renee shaw and her guests remember the life of journalist, civil rights activist, and author alice allison dunnigan, the first accredited africanamerican female correspondent to cover the white house, and. Alice allison dunnigan was head of the washington bureau of the associated negro press in the 1940s and 50s. Born at the turn of the 20th century, in an era in which women could not vote and african americans were regarded. Dunnigan was the first black female correspondent for congress and the white house dunnigan reported on congressional hearings where blacks were referred to as niggers, was barred from covering a speech by. This talk on alice allison dunnigan, the first african american female. Commending alice allison dunnigan for her barrierbreaking career in journalism. Sep 22, 2018 alice allison dunnigan was the first african american female correspondent at the white house and the first black female member of the senate and house of representatives press galleries. From school house to white house unavailable except as a collectors.
Aug 25, 2018 a statue to honor a great journalist will soon stand at the newseum in washington, d. Pioneering journalist alice allison dunnigan 19061983 was covering national politics when racism and segregation were still a part of american society. Ryan when she became the first black woman named in that role in 1948. Jul 22, 2019 in order to commemorate dunnigan, author, teacher, civil rights pioneer, united states presidential appointee and trailblazing journalist, the russellville community will host a series of activities in dunnigans honor. The autobiography of alice dunnigan, pioneer of the national black press were she has condensed dunnigans 1974 self.
Dunnigan, alice allison black white house correspondent. Season 15 episode 9 26m 37s renee shaw and her guests remember the life of journalist, civil rights activist, and author alice. Dunnigan was born april 27, 1906, in russellville, kentucky, to willie and lena pitman allison. Alice allison dunnigan booker proposes the republication of alice allison dunnigans original, unedited autobiography a black womans experience. Carol mccabe booker discussed and signed her book alone atop the hill.
In 1942 alice allison dunnigan, a sharecroppers daughter from kentucky, made her way to the nations capital and a career in journalism that. The autobiography of alice dunningan, pioneer of the national black press, by alice dunningan, editor. Alice dunnigan, first black woman to cover white house. Alice allison dunnigan was the first african american woman granted press credentials to the white house. African american journalist alice allison dunnigan. Dunnigan, a kentucky native who died in 1983, was the first black female journalist to cover.
All this month, weve been shining a spotlight on prominent black history makers. In 1982, she was inducted into the kentucky hall of fame, and in 1985, she was admitted into the black journalist hall of fame. From schoolhouse to white house, was published in 1974. Russellville native alice allison dunnigan might not have the national name recognition of civil rights activists such as martin luther king jr. Alice allison dunnigan april 27, 1906 may 6, 1983, better known as alice dunnigan, was the first africanamerican female correspondent to receive white house credentials.
Today that book is available as alone atop the hill by alice dunnigan as edited by carol mccabe booker. Starting in september, a lifesized statue at washington d. A statue to honor a great journalist will soon stand at the newseum in washington, d. Over the course of her career, alice allison dunnigan won over 50 journalism awards.
Alice allison dunnigan booker proposes the republication of alice allison dunnigans. Aug 24, 2018 starting in september, a lifesized statue at washington d. Alice allison dunnigan, 1st black woman journalist to cover. She and her brother russell were raised in a strict household that placed a strong emphasis on work ethic and moral training. In 1942 alice allison dunnigan, a sharecroppers daughter from kentucky, made her way to the nations capital and a career in journalism that eventually led her to the white house.
The narrative casts valuable light on the politics. Stewart, mary ann shadd cary, gertrude bustill mossell, ida b. Smith alice allison dunnigan was born in 1906 to willie and lena allison, who made their home in russellville, kentucky. Alice dunnigan, first black woman to cover white house, will.
The autobiography of alice dunnigan, pioneer of the national black press were she has condensed. Newseum honors alice allison dunnigan, who was the first. Alice allison dunnigan, trailblazing africanamerican. Journalist alice allison dunnigan to be honored at newseum. Dunnigan was born 1906 in logan county the granddaughter of slaves and daughter of a sharecropper. Each chapter is a biographical sketch of an influential black woman who has written for american newspapers or television news, including maria w. Alice allison dunnigan, 1st black woman journalist to. Alone atop the hill is a poignant and revealing account of alice. First africanamerican female white house reporter to be. The skanner news international african american sorority on. Alice allison dunnigan pioneering journalist season 15. Alice determined not to be a sharecropper, or a domestic.
At age 14 she began writing for the owensboro enterprise newspaper. Alice allison dunnigan was a national pioneer journalist. Dunnigan is also the first black woman reporter to gain credentials to the press galleries of the u. Alice allison dunnigan was born to a farmer in russelville, kentucky in 1906 and grew up unwanted by her grandmother for not being black enough and eventually turning into one of the most accomplished african american female journalists. Reprinted with editorial commentary by editor carol booker in feb. The narrative casts valuable light on the politics of race prior to the emergence of the civil rights movement. Alone atop the hill is a poignant and revealing account of alice dunnigans life from her childhood in rural poverty to her adulthood in education and journalism. Alice allison dunnigan did what was essentially impossible for a woman of her time. Alice allison dunnigan 19061983 1 was an africanamerican journalist, civil rights activist and author. May 09, 1983 alice allison dunnigan, a retired government official who had been chief of the washington bureau of the old associated negro press from 1947 to 1961, died friday of abdominal anemia in providence. Alice allison dunnigan todd county schools hall of fame. Victor ochieng the first black woman, alice allison dunnigan, to cover the white house will be honored with a bronze statue. Dunnigan was the first black american female correspondent to receive.